Daily Devotion, August 16, 2020

Devotion: Read Matthew 16:13-23.

  As Matthew tells the story of the life and ministry of Jesus, this is a climactic scene. Jesus had brought his disciples to a place where pagan deities had been worshipped for centuries. Also, King Herod had built a temple there and dedicated it to Augustus Caesar. Herod’s son Philip had later built a city around it and this became known as Caesarea Philippi. That setting and history of the place makes Jesus’ question to the disciples even more dramatic: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” along with his follow-up question of “Who do you say I am?”

  I wonder if there were some moments of silence after that last question. I think there probably were. Maybe they all thought they knew the answer, but were not sure enough to say it. Peter broke the silence: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus commends him for his answer, acknowledges that he was given that insight by God and declares that he will build his church on that foundational understanding.

  Then Jesus goes on to explain what is going to happen to him later in Jerusalem. Peter can’t stand the thought of that. Maybe it was a combination of his love for Jesus and being emboldened by Jesus’ earlier affirmation of him, but he apparently felt the need to challenge Jesus on this prediction: “This shall never happen to you!” From the earlier emotional high he must have felt, he had to be equally crushed when Jesus rebuked him for this challenge, calling him “Satan” and “a stumbling block to me.”

  To be sure, Peter’s journey of faith was often rocky. (Yes, since his name means “rock,” this pun was intended.) Yet, he became a foundational leader in the early Church. I hope you will be encouraged by this. Even when your journey of faith hits rocky spots, be assured that God never gives up on you. Personal Worship Option: Reflect on the rocky moments of your faith journey. How did God see you through those times? Are you going through a rocky time now? Who might God be guiding you to for support? Do you know someone who is going through a rocky time in their life? How might you support them?